First Nations

Marine resources, formed a fundamental component of traditional life ways, and today still remain important to First Nations people. The peoples of the Salish Sea recognized the close relationship between the land and the sea. They have witnessed first hand the impacts of development on the marine resources of the Strait of Georgia and Strait of Juan de Fuca. These impacts have directly and drastically altered their traditional life ways.

Coast Salish Council representative on the Race Rocks Advisory Board, Tom Sampson meets the federal and provincial ministers at the official designation of the MPA before singing an opening prayer. He addressed the gathering in the Lecture Theatre at Lester Pearson College, speaking about the importance of the new MPA.